News Release

SYRACUSE – Geoff Walmer, principal of Wawasee High School, issued the following statement regarding a current power outage at WHS:

“A short time ago, the power went out here at WHS and some surrounding buildings. We have been informed that REMC has multiple crews working on the issue and have hope that power will be restored soon. We do not have knowledge as to what caused the power outage at this time. Around the same time, the power went out we had some first responders escorting Mia Hodgson, our senior cross country runner, who is heading down to Indy for the state competition. So if you hear something about sirens at the high school, that was not for any type of emergency.

Our bathrooms still work and our cafeteria crew is working hard to ensure all students will be fed. Right now they are working on cold sandwiches, parfaits, and other items that do not require equipment that utilizes power.

Certain pockets of our school still have power while other parts do not.

Our hope is to keep students at school all day where we know they are safe. Any discussion of sending students home early brings it’s own issues like parents and guardians not being home to supervise. Therefore, we will do everything in our power to remain at school all day. There are certain reasons we would have to send students home early such as no running water or other very serious issues which are not yet a problem.

There is no doubt your student may send you a text asking to pick them up early. While I understand their desire in that, I’d encourage you to tell them to make the best of the situation they have here at school and that you will see them after school. If there is an emergency or some reason you would need to pick your student up early, we understand. I’d just encourage you not to if you don’t have to.

Unfortunately, the power has knocked our phones so we cannot receive calls. Should you need something you will need to come physically to the school.

Thank you for your understanding with all of this. While it’s certainly frustrating, I’d encourage us all to remain calm and make the best of the cards we have been dealt right now. We will be okay – it’s all good. If nothing else, we will all remember the power going out on Halloween and the irony in it. I’ll keep you informed as I can.”